”Hey!” Delioron said.
Radawen startled, turned and saw him standing beside the gloom of a great stone pillar, hiding behind the golden ornament that guarded its corner. It was almost noon. Delioron stepped out of the shadows, eating a ring-loaf.
”Do you want some?” he asked.
”I am starving.”
Delioron gave her half of his ring-loaf. They ate quietly, a little apart, staring at each other in bright daylight.
”Have you been here for long?”
”About half an hour. To make sure nobody follows you.”
”Is it safe?”
”I guess so.”
”How did they find you?”
”Meldis sent me a letter. They came to her. I did tell you about my great-aunt Meldis, did I not?”
Radawen nodded.
”I went to Pelargir. I got involved with something.” He smiled, almost gently. The smile was fitting for the season – warmth glazed with cold. ”I guess I messed up their plans.”
Suddenly Radawen smiled. She dropped the rest of her ring-loaf on the pavement. She wrapped her arms around Delioron tightly and kissed him fiercely, long and hard. Delioron embraced her with equal passion. They did not talk. They sniffed at each other, feeling each other through all the layers of clothing.
”By the Valar, how I have missed you!”
”I love you, Radawen.”
And that was it. They broke apart and held each other’s hands, standing apart and staring at each other.
”Come with me to Arnach!” he said, still smiling. ”I love you, my girl.”
”You have a funny way of showing it!”
”I thought they would leave us alone eventually. I thought I could keep you out of it.”
”Two ruffians from Tham Pethgyl came to rough me up in my home last night.”
”I know. I saw them breaking in.”
”Why did you do nothing?”
”By that you mean: why did I not rescue you? It would not have worked out that way. And it was not their intention to hurt you anyway.”
”One of them punched me and kicked me.”
”I will challenge him to a duel.”
”You bastard!”
”There is a woman. Her child is being held hostage in Umbar. She is safe now, at least for a while. I must talk to Parthadan, to bring the final pieces into alignment. Before.”
”Before what?”
”What did I tell you?” Delioron frowned. ”The game is over, Radawen. They have won.”
”Do not say that!”
”Alright, alright! I will not say it.”
”Delioron, hold me tight!”
Delioron wrapped his arms around Radawen. She pressed her face against his chest. She was very afraid.
”The woman is from Harad. She was here spying for the Corsairs. She was forced into it. It is a complicated, large and somewhat brutal operation, typical for the Corsairs. They are about as subtle as a fart in the Blue Theatre.”
Even through her tears Radawen felt like smiling.
”It’s a long story. I will tell you everything about it on our way to Arnach. But first we have to meet someone.”
”Who?”
”You will see it very soon”, Delioron said as softly as he always spoke to Radawen. There was a wistful tone to his words, as if the words themselves were precious because it was the last time he would ever say them again.
